Fatal crash plane hits rail line (UK)

[TCAS]

Two people are feared dead after their light aircraft crashed into the overhead power lines of the West Coast Main Line in Staffordshire.

The aircraft came down in Little Haywood, near Stafford, just before 1200 GMT.

It ended up between two lines where the rail route forked, missing the tracks.

The crash has closed that part of the West Coast Main Line, disrupting travel between London Euston and the North West.

Full article

Source: BBC

Plane = Piper PA-28 140 Cherokee G-AWPS

[TCAS]

*** UPDATE ***

4:56am UK, Saturday January 03, 2009

Travel chaos continues as three people are now thought to have died when a plane crashed onto Britain's busiest railway line.

Police have confirmed two deaths, including that of 59-year-old pilot Alan Matthews, and are expected to announce a third today.

The Piper Cherokee aircraft crashed in Little Haywood in Staffordshire just before midday on Friday, hitting overhead power lines before landing next to the tracks.

Full article (Sky News)

Crash scene pictures can be found HERE

[achace]

Thank you for the news, which rather saddened me as I grew up in the area and know it well.